FOREST of Dean residents wanting to recycle their real Christmas trees have until Friday (January 15) to leave them out for collection.

The Christmas tree collection service - operated by the Forest of Dean District Council and waste contractor Biffa – is available to all residents, including those without a garden waste licence. 

Those wishing to use the service should put their tree out at the kerbside on their scheduled garden waste collection day between the two dates. 

Garden waste collections take place on the alternate week to the refuse collection for most properties.

Small trees can be reduced and put in the green wheeled bin. Larger trees can be left at the kerbside.  Residents are asked to carefully reduce their trees to sections no longer than 1.5m in length to assist with the collection. All lights, tree decorations, pots and stands must be removed.

The collected trees will be composted locally and will eventually be turned into a soil improver.

Councillor Marrilyn Smart, Cabinet member for the Environment at the district council, said: “We are once again collecting real Christmas trees from properties in the district, irrespective of whether the householder has signed up to the fortnightly garden waste collection service to ensure that as many trees as possible are composted.  Residents who are unsure when their collections are due can either visit the waste pages of the council’s website – www. fdean.gov.uk  – consult their annual waste calendar or call the customer services team on 01594 810000 during office opening hours.”

Real Christmas trees can also be taken to the local Household Recycling Centres at Broadwell, near Coleford and placed in the designated container.  Both sites are open every day from 9am to 6.15pm (except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).  Last entry is at 6pm.

Real trees with roots can possibly be replanted in the garden and used again the following year.

Residents are being reminded that garden waste cannot be disposed of in their black refuse bins.